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09/07/2001
INVESTMENT PAYS OFF FOR STRANGFORD FERRY ROUTE
STRANGFORD is to receive a new purpose-build £2.7 million ferry to service the needs of the Portaferry to Strangford route.
Due to arrive at the end of August, the ferry will replace the existing – and smaller - MV Strangford as the main vessel on the busy crossing, following successful completion of trials and staff training.
Once the new vessel arrives, the MV Strangford will assume a standby and support role when the new ferry is being serviced, and will also operate during the peak traffic periods in the summer months.
Up to 260 passengers and crew can be carried on the new MV Portaferry II, which also has the capacity to carry 28 cars and up to 15 metre heavy goods vehicles.
A spokesperson for DRD Roads Service, said: "The significant investment in a new vessel reflects Roads Service’s commitment to ensure the continuation of a safe and reliable ferry service which is so important to social and commercial development in this area."
Ferry Manager, Derek Pedlow, added that he was particularly looking forward to taking delivery of the new vessel. He said: "While the reliability record of the service is good, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the MV Portaferry which is now about 40 years old.”
The Strangford Lough ferry service provides an essential transport link for cars, commercial vehicles and foot passengers across the southern end of the Lough between Portaferry and Strangford. The alternative road journey is approximately 64 kilometres and takes about 70 minutes by car. (CL)
Due to arrive at the end of August, the ferry will replace the existing – and smaller - MV Strangford as the main vessel on the busy crossing, following successful completion of trials and staff training.
Once the new vessel arrives, the MV Strangford will assume a standby and support role when the new ferry is being serviced, and will also operate during the peak traffic periods in the summer months.
Up to 260 passengers and crew can be carried on the new MV Portaferry II, which also has the capacity to carry 28 cars and up to 15 metre heavy goods vehicles.
A spokesperson for DRD Roads Service, said: "The significant investment in a new vessel reflects Roads Service’s commitment to ensure the continuation of a safe and reliable ferry service which is so important to social and commercial development in this area."
Ferry Manager, Derek Pedlow, added that he was particularly looking forward to taking delivery of the new vessel. He said: "While the reliability record of the service is good, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the MV Portaferry which is now about 40 years old.”
The Strangford Lough ferry service provides an essential transport link for cars, commercial vehicles and foot passengers across the southern end of the Lough between Portaferry and Strangford. The alternative road journey is approximately 64 kilometres and takes about 70 minutes by car. (CL)
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06 February 2015
Cammel Laird To Build £5.7m Ferry
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the award of a contract for the construction of a new £5.7m ferry for Strangford. The contract has been awarded to Cammell Laird from Merseyside after an open procurement exercise which had attracted interest from shipyards across Europe. The new ferry is due to be delivered by August 2016.
Cammel Laird To Build £5.7m Ferry
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the award of a contract for the construction of a new £5.7m ferry for Strangford. The contract has been awarded to Cammell Laird from Merseyside after an open procurement exercise which had attracted interest from shipyards across Europe. The new ferry is due to be delivered by August 2016.
24 April 2009
SF Issues SOS For Sinking Ferry Service
As a scenic cross border transport link remains in jeopardy, a Coleraine Sinn Féin councillor has urged NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster to take action to save the ferry. Billy Leonard wants the DUP Minister to play her part along with other Stormont Executive colleagues to save the Magilligan ferry service to Greencastle.
SF Issues SOS For Sinking Ferry Service
As a scenic cross border transport link remains in jeopardy, a Coleraine Sinn Féin councillor has urged NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster to take action to save the ferry. Billy Leonard wants the DUP Minister to play her part along with other Stormont Executive colleagues to save the Magilligan ferry service to Greencastle.
18 July 2001
LAUNCH OF BELFAST FERRY SERVICE DELAYED
THE launch date for a new catamaran-ferry service around Belfast Lough scheduled to be up and running this summer has been pushed back to late September. The two state-of-the-art high-speed catamarans specially designed for the ferry service have been completed in Queensland but are unable to begin their voyage to Belfast.
LAUNCH OF BELFAST FERRY SERVICE DELAYED
THE launch date for a new catamaran-ferry service around Belfast Lough scheduled to be up and running this summer has been pushed back to late September. The two state-of-the-art high-speed catamarans specially designed for the ferry service have been completed in Queensland but are unable to begin their voyage to Belfast.
27 October 2011
Not 'Ferry Good News' In Strangford
A temporary weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes has this week been applied to heavy goods vehicles travelling on the Strangford Ferry. The main vessel, the MV Portaferry II, has been withdrawn for its annual refit and the backup vessel, the MV Strangford, has gone into service.
Not 'Ferry Good News' In Strangford
A temporary weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes has this week been applied to heavy goods vehicles travelling on the Strangford Ferry. The main vessel, the MV Portaferry II, has been withdrawn for its annual refit and the backup vessel, the MV Strangford, has gone into service.
30 January 2002
Ballycastle-Campbeltown ferry route re-opened to tender
The Ballycastle-Campbeltown ferry service, which closed down in July 2000, will be opened again to tenders from private companies. In a joint initiative by the Scottish Office, Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Executive, the service will now be out to tenders for a contract to run the service for up to five years.
Ballycastle-Campbeltown ferry route re-opened to tender
The Ballycastle-Campbeltown ferry service, which closed down in July 2000, will be opened again to tenders from private companies. In a joint initiative by the Scottish Office, Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Executive, the service will now be out to tenders for a contract to run the service for up to five years.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
